Hockey Ad Network

Sunday, July 12, 2009

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Bob Mancini, who has spent the past two seasons as a development coach for the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and has extensive coaching experience in the collegiate ranks and with USA Hockey, has been named a regional manager of USA Hockey's American Development Model, as announced today by USA Hockey.

"We're very excited to have Bob back with USA Hockey," said Ken Martel, director of USA Hockey's American Development Model. "His invaluable experience at all levels of hockey and passion for the development of the game will have a lasting effect on youth hockey in the United States."

The American Development Model, with support from the National Hockey League, is a nationwide initiative that was announced by USA Hockey in January. It will provide local associations across the country - for the first time ever - a blueprint for optimal athlete development that focuses on age-appropriate training utilizing long-term athlete development principles.

Prior to working with the Oilers, Mancini was the general manager and head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Saginaw Spirit from 2004-07. Mancini led the Spirit to their first two playoff appearances (2006, 2007), and the team's most wins and points during the 2006-07 campaign.

Mancini also has experience coaching in the collegiate ranks, having served as the head coach of the Michigan Tech University men's ice hockey team from 1992-96. While at Michigan Tech, Mancini led the Huskies to three Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five appearances.

In addition, Mancini was the head men's ice hockey coach at Ferris State University from 1990-92, and was part of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program from 1997-2000, including as an assistant coach during the inaugural 1997-98 season.

While with USA Hockey, Mancini was the director of player personnel for the U.S. National Junior Team that earned the silver medal at the 1997 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Geneva and Morges, Switzerland. He was also an assistant coach at the 1997 and 1998 IIHF World Championships, the 1998 and 1999 IIHF World Junior Championships, as well as the 1999 and 2000 IIHF World Men's Under-18 Championships.

Mancini joins Major Joe Doyle, Roger Grillo and Scott Paluch as regional managers for USA Hockey's American Development Model.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)